Author: By Amieyeofori Ibim, Managing Editor

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has adjourned indefinitely the suit filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Nma-Odu, challenging the impeachment process initiated against them by the Speaker and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The presiding judge, Justice Florence Fiberesima of the Oyigbo High Court, took the decision on Friday, January 23, 2026, following applications by defence counsel seeking a stay of proceedings pending the determination of appeals already entered at the Court of Appeal.

When the matter came up for hearing, lead counsel to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Chike-Amaewhule, and 26 other lawmakers, S.I. Amen, SAN, informed the court that an appeal had been duly entered and orally applied for a halt in further proceedings until the appeal is determined.

The application was not opposed by counsel to the claimants, Paul Orikoro, SAN, nor by Lawrence Oko-Jaja, who represents the 28th to 30th defendants—Oko Jumbo, Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy.

In her ruling, Justice Fiberesima confirmed that two separate appeals had been entered and consequently adjourned the matter sine die, explaining that the appellate court must first determine the issues placed before it.

Meanwhile, a Rivers State High Court in Oyigbo Local Government Area had earlier granted an interim injunction restraining the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Chike-Amaewhule, and 32 others, including the Clerk of the House, from forwarding any articles of impeachment or related documents to the Chief Judge of the state.

The court also restrained the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, from receiving or acting on any impeachment-related communication for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the alleged misconduct against the governor and his deputy for a period of seven days.